I went to "Literacy and Content Strategies for ESL Students." I co-teach with the ESL teacher at my school, who gave me the information about this conference; she was attending, so I decided I should also attend. The sessions were Friday from 6-9 and Saturday from 8-4. I know, that is a long time, but the trainers packed so many practical and useful strategies into that time that I was swimming in new ideas for my lessons. Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed with thoughts of how I wanted to use these new strategies.
As we left the conference yesterday, the ESL teacher and I were chatting away with new ideas for our students. It did seem odd to be discussing new ideas for the last nine weeks of school, but I think it is very important to use different strategies throughout the year, especially during the 4th quarter with 5th graders; my students are looking forward to the summer and beginning middle school in the fall, not necessarily on the work at hand. I think a fresh perspective will help all of us end the year with a new sense of excitement about learning.
Yes, it is Sunday and I am having to do extreme amounts of work today in order to prep for the upcoming week and report cards. Could I have really used those hours to prepare for this week? Yes. Am I going to be worn out all week trying to play catch-up? Yes. Was it worth it? YES!
*For those of you who do not know about, or have never attended a training by, the North Carolina Teacher Academy please look into the trainings that they offer. The sessions are by teachers for teachers. Also, this organization, along with other educational organizations, are on the chopping block during NC budget discussions. If you feel strongly about the cuts being made to education, please contact your local legislators.
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